Steve Alexander

Offseason Beat

Fantasy Draft Recap

I recently competed in the longstanding UBC Expert Fantasy Hoops League. We slow draft over a few days on CBSSports.com and use a points scoring system in a weekly head-to-head matchup. The final scores are usually similar to an NBA game score – like 115.6 to 113.7. The scoring system is unique, but it works and it’s a fun format.

We start 12 players that includes a combination of at least four guards, four forwards and two centers. The positions listed by each player are how they’re set up on CBS, but some qualify at multiple positions. Here’s how it all went down…

I would have loved to see Giannis fall to me at No. 4, but that’s something that’s not going to happen very often, especially in a league like this one. Harden at four’s not bad, though. I’ve seen a 12-team turn of Embiid/Simmons happen a few times, but this was not one of them.

Oladipo at 18 is about as low as you’ll see him go in any draft and I think he was a steal there. Drummond has solid value in this league since free throws don’t kill you, and I was satisfied with Kemba Walker here. I haven’t owned him much in the past, but he’s a very reliable fantasy point guard. Some of my Rotoworld colleagues would have taken Lowry instead.

Dobish’s team is a good example of an auto-draft, as he let the computer do the picking for him for most of the draft. Ayton is the wildcard here and if he plays well, he should be a dominant fantasy big man. With two centers required to start in this league, I went Gobert a little early. Good centers don’t last long.

I would have liked to have gotten Collins here, but was happy to scoop up Turner, who I think is primed for a bounce-back season. Jordan’s free throws won’t kill Castro in this league, and Flood is hoping that Hayward gets the ball enough in a crowded Celtics rotation. Ditto for Carpenter and Tatum.

I recently competed in the longstanding UBC Expert Fantasy Hoops League. We slow draft over a few days on CBSSports.com and use a points scoring system in a weekly head-to-head matchup. The final scores are usually similar to an NBA game score – like 115.6 to 113.7. The scoring system is unique, but it works and it’s a fun format.

We start 12 players that includes a combination of at least four guards, four forwards and two centers. The positions listed by each player are how they’re set up on CBS, but some qualify at multiple positions. Here’s how it all went down…

I would have loved to see Giannis fall to me at No. 4, but that’s something that’s not going to happen very often, especially in a league like this one. Harden at four’s not bad, though. I’ve seen a 12-team turn of Embiid/Simmons happen a few times, but this was not one of them.

Oladipo at 18 is about as low as you’ll see him go in any draft and I think he was a steal there. Drummond has solid value in this league since free throws don’t kill you, and I was satisfied with Kemba Walker here. I haven’t owned him much in the past, but he’s a very reliable fantasy point guard. Some of my Rotoworld colleagues would have taken Lowry instead.

Dobish’s team is a good example of an auto-draft, as he let the computer do the picking for him for most of the draft. Ayton is the wildcard here and if he plays well, he should be a dominant fantasy big man. With two centers required to start in this league, I went Gobert a little early. Good centers don’t last long.

I would have liked to have gotten Collins here, but was happy to scoop up Turner, who I think is primed for a bounce-back season. Jordan’s free throws won’t kill Castro in this league, and Flood is hoping that Hayward gets the ball enough in a crowded Celtics rotation. Ditto for Carpenter and Tatum.

Kanter’s going to be a popular pick, especially in a two-center league, and the two-center requirement also boosted the value of Nurkic and Howard. However, I’m not too confident about either of them, especially Howard with his back problem. I think LaVine is going to have a monster season and was sad I didn’t get him in the next round. However, I also think Aaron Gordon is going to go off, and am targeting him everywhere.

I was eyeing Jamal Murray here, but Flood sniped him, and I was pleased to get Fox. I don’t see how he doesn’t have a nice year for the Kings. This was a guard-intensive round, with the much maligned DSJ going at 77, Trae Young at 78, Kris Dunn at 80 and Batum at 81.

I feel like Josh Richardson is a forgotten man and he returned Top 40 value in most leagues last season. What happens to him if he’s traded to Minnesota remains a mystery, I still think he’s going to be a fantasy stud as long as he’s healthy.

And of course, once I saw Prince was still there, I had him locked and loaded for the 117th pick. And, on cue, Castro snagged him from my grasp. I cannot repeat here the text message that ensued, but let’s just say I kind of lost my mind for a minute. And took Kevin Knox. Also, I love the Caris LeVert pick. I think he’s going to be a fun own this season.

I went all upside with Jonathan Isaac here, and Dobish may have gotten burned by the autopick of Pau Gasol. Carmelo Anthony is the opposite of an upside pick, and I won’t own him anywhere, ever again. Snellings is hoping that Isaiah Thomas can return to form at some point, but I’m not holding my breath. The Mo Bamba pick by Feingold was probably the most intriguing pick of this round.

Josh Hart just looks like too good a player not to get minutes and production in L.A. and Snellings gambled again, hoping that Kristaps Porzingis is able to return sooner than later from his knee surgery. He could be out for most of the season, possibly.

I grabbed Derrick White here, so either way, I should have the starting point guard in San Antonio. And given the rest of the picks in this round, I have no regrets about snagging White. I’m curious to see how Allonzo Trier looks in New York once the regular season starts. He’s unknown and a bit intriguing.

We drafted for three more rounds to fill out the end of our benches, but I think 168 picks is enough for one night.

Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA for Rotoworld.com and a contributor to NBCSports.com. The 2017-18 NBA season marks (at least) his 16th year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld. Follow him on Twitter - @Docktora.Email :Steve Alexander

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